When Netflix broke ground at Fort Monmouth earlier this year, it wasn’t just a milestone for film and television production on the East Coast. It was the latest in a series of transformative moments for New Jersey, a state that continues to attract global investment, spark innovation, and set the scene for business success across every sector.
The $905 million Netflix Studios campus is slated to become one of the largest production facilities in the world, but its location tells an even more powerful story. Fort Monmouth, once a decommissioned Army base, is now being given new life. It’s a vivid example of how New Jersey continues to reinvent itself and turn potential into progress.
The Perfect Location to Reach a Global Audience
New Jersey’s strengths begin with its strategic location. Situated in the heart of the Northeast corridor, businesses here can access one-third of the U.S. population and one-third of the nation’s economy within a day’s drive. With close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, and access to major infrastructure—including the busiest port on the East Coast of the United States, the Port of New York and New Jersey; the world’s busiest airport system (Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport), as well as access to Philadelphia International Airport; and an extensive highway network—New Jersey is a logistical powerhouse for companies in distribution, manufacturing, life sciences, and beyond.
From Fortune 500 headquarters to startups, New Jersey offers the connections that companies need to thrive.
A Workforce Ready for Any Script
In a world where talent is everything, New Jersey delivers. The state is home to one of the most educated and diverse workforces in the country. With more than 60 colleges and universities—including Princeton University, Rutgers University, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology—New Jersey consistently produces a steady pipeline of top-tier talent in STEM, business, healthcare, and the arts. In fact, New Jersey is home to the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the country.
This talent pool played a role in attracting Netflix, whose executives praised the state’s access to skilled labor and its deep commitment to education and innovation. And they’re not alone: life sciences giants, clean energy pioneers, and tech disruptors are all investing in New Jersey for the same reason.
In film and digital media specifically, New Jersey is laying the groundwork for the industry’s next generation. The New Jersey Film & Digital Media Academy at Brookdale Community College, developed in partnership with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, is a hands-on, career-focused program preparing students for roles in film production, editing, set design, and more. Located just minutes from the future Netflix campus, the academy is training a workforce that’s ready for the spotlight, while reinforcing the state’s long-term commitment to building a robust, inclusive film and television ecosystem.
A Strong Supporting Role for Business Growth
New Jersey backs big ideas with bold incentives. The state plays a strong supporting role in helping businesses thrive, thanks to a powerful suite of incentives designed to fuel growth, job creation, and innovation. Administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), these programs are making a measurable impact. The Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program—one of the most generous in the nation—helped attract Netflix to Fort Monmouth, setting the stage for a $905 million investment in East Coast production. The EMERGE Program incentivizes job creation by offering per-job tax credits to companies relocating or expanding in the state. For manufacturers, the Manufacturing Voucher Program helps modernize operations by offsetting equipment costs. And for early-stage innovators, the Net Operating Loss (NOL) Program turns unused tax losses and R&D credits into working capital, providing $75 million to 143 tech and life sciences companies in 2023 alone. In New Jersey, business success isn’t just welcomed—it’s supported at every step.
The World’s State™ on the International Stage
New Jersey continues to pave the way for international business expansion. With $20.9 billion in foreign direct investment over the past two decades, the state is a global economic force.
Its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and robust airport system, anchored by Newark Liberty International Airport, which had the best on-time performance in the region in June 2025, make New Jersey a launchpad to global markets. With hundreds of direct international flights and top-tier ports, the state offers seamless access to the world.
New Jersey’s diversity is more than a cultural strength—it’s a powerful economic driver. Nearly one-third of the state’s business owners are foreign-born, fueling entrepreneurship across every sector. Their impact is evident in everything from thriving local businesses to global corporate leadership. In New Jersey, opportunity speaks every language.
A Lifestyle With Main-Character Vibes
New Jersey isn’t just a great place to do business. It’s a great place to live. With award-winning schools, world-class healthcare, a vibrant arts scene, rich cultural festivals, and landscapes that range from beaches to mountains, New Jersey offers the kind of quality of life that attracts top talent and keeps them here.
Whether you’re drawn to rural farmlands, close-knit suburbs, or vibrant cities, New Jersey offers families the opportunity to settle in safe, welcoming communities.
Our schools are another point of pride. New Jersey is home to the #1 ranked public school system in the country, the #1 STEM high school (High Technology High School in Lincroft), and Princeton University, ranked the best university in the nation for 14 consecutive years. It’s a place where families thrive and futures are built.
This matters to companies looking to grow sustainably. Employees who feel at home help drive long-term success.
The Future is Already in Production
The Netflix campus isn’t an outlier. It’s part of a growing list of investments that are reshaping New Jersey’s economic landscape.
Choose New Jersey plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, offering concierge services to help companies navigate establishing and growing their business in New Jersey. Choose New Jersey ensures companies have the support they need from day one, through site selection, data analysis, introductions to key partners, and more. New Jersey doesn’t wait for opportunity to knock. We build the set. We cast the vision. We roll the cameras.
Because in New Jersey, we’re not just open for business. We’re setting the scene for what’s next.
